Prince Of Verona made the perfect start to his racing career at Bathurst on Sunday, producing an exciting performance to win the $50,000 Showcase Super Maiden Handicap over 1200 metres – aptly named The Rising Prince Cup.
The three-year-old son of Castelvecchio showed professionalism beyond his experience for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald, overcoming several more seasoned rivals to score at his first race start.
Ridden by Heavelon Van Der Hoven, Prince Of Verona jumped cleanly from barrier one and secured an economical position behind the leaders. While several runners around him raced keenly, the Triple Crown gelding relaxed beautifully and conserved his energy for the finish.
Van Der Hoven remained patient approaching the home turn before directing Prince Of Verona through an opening along the inside. Once the gap appeared, the debutant accelerated sharply and drove through to take the lead.
Esquire mounted a determined challenge over the concluding stages, but Prince Of Verona continued to find under pressure and was doing his best work through the line, prevailing by 0.34 lengths. Macaroon finished a further 1.12 lengths away in third.
The victory was particularly encouraging given Prince Of Verona is bred to appreciate considerably more distance than Sunday’s 1200-metre assignment.
“Great to win a Super Maiden on debut with him, particularly given I thought he might need a little bit further distance-wise to break his maiden,” said co-trainer Annabel Archibald.
“We certainly thought he would hit the line well, but he travelled a bit closer in the run than I thought he would over 1200 metres. It was a good ride by Heavelon; he saved ground, and I thought the horse was tough late and was certainly just warming up on the line.
“He is a very straightforward horse. He was professional, did everything right and he can step up in trip now. We’re delighted to break his maiden and it’s onwards and upwards from here.”
Van Der Hoven was equally pleased with the performance, reporting that Prince Of Verona jumped well, secured a good position and displayed an impressive turn of foot despite still having plenty to learn.
The jockey also felt the gelding was strong through the line and would be even better suited as he progresses over further distance.
Triple Crown director Sam Manion said it was enormously satisfying to see Prince Of Verona begin his career in winning fashion.
“There were plenty of horses around him carrying on, most of them with race experience, but he just put his head down and was basically put to sleep by Heavy,” Manion said.
“He was fantastic in behind the leaders and, when Heavy asked him to go inside the leader along the rail, his turn of foot was excellent.
“We all thought he might need further to get that first win, but to knock it off on debut is amazing. To win a Super Maiden is brilliant as well, and I think he is only going to get better with time and over further.
“What a fabulous way to begin his career.”
Out of the Snitzel mare Holiday Romance, Prince Of Verona was identified by Triple Crown at the Magic Millions National Sale as an impressive physical type with the pedigree and scope to develop into a lovely middle-distance horse.
His debut victory provided an immediate return for his ownership team while offering an exciting glimpse of what may lie ahead as he matures and stretches out in distance.
Congratulations to Annabel and Rob Archibald, Heavelon Van Der Hoven, the entire stable team and all of Prince Of Verona’s owners on a memorable debut victory.
Winning owners: Mathew Cameron, CDM Syndicate, Robert Franklin, Gary Hamblin, Judy Gibson, Lee Hayes, Scott Higgins, Gareth Hunt, Lisa Hunt, Bruce Macdonald, Thomas Mallard, Samuel Manion, Jayne McKenzie, Michael Daniel, Tommy Moffatt, Karen Moon, Michelle Price, Sean Pulverman, Redsgold, Greg Reid, Riddanham, Greg Sando, Silks & Saddles, Stuart Smith, Andrew Warburton, Brendan White and John Williams.